The protagonist of the Yu-Gi-Oh! world might be the same person.

【Red-Eyes Blackblade Dragon: Attack Power 2800 → 3000】

The next second, the black flames spewed from the Black Blade Dragon's mouth and hurtled towards Jaden's field.

boom--! !

The black flame bullet blasted the Phantom Magician to ashes the instant it struck him.

Seeing this, Jaden calmly said, "When [Phantom Magician] is destroyed by battle, you can Special Summon one [Hero] monster with 1000 or less ATK from your Deck in Defense Position."

"Come on, [Elemental Heroes: Shadow Mist Lady]!"

As he slammed the card onto the duel disk, a burst of golden light erupted on the field, instantly revealing the jet-black woman.

【Elemental Heroes: Shadow Mist Lady: Attack 1000, Defense 1500】

"And when the Shadow Mist Lady is successfully Special Summoned, I can add one [Change] Quick-Play Spell Card from my Deck to my hand."

"I added the [Mask Change] card from my deck to my hand."

[Yuki Jaden's hand cards: 4 → 5]

"A great chain, really capable, ten generations!"

Jonouchi knew that Jaden wouldn't be so easy to deal with, so he said, "Then I'll set up another defensive monster."

[Jouchi Katsuya’s hand cards: 5→4]

His attacking third immediately revealed a horizontally placed cover card.

"Although I can't summon monsters because of the effect of Red-Eyes Fusion, setting up a monster is still no problem."

"Finally, cover with two more cards, and the turn ends."

[Jouchi Katsuya’s hand cards: 4→2]

Next, it was Judai's turn to play.

"My turn, draw a card!"

[Yuki Jaden's hand cards: 5 → 6]

After drawing the card, Jaden first played the card he had searched for in the previous turn: "Quick-Play Spell [Masked Change] activated, send the DARK Mist Lady to the Graveyard, and Special Summon a [Masked Hero] of the same Attribute."

[Yuki Jaden's hand cards: 6 → 5]

"Henshin! Let's be friends, [Masked Hero Dark Claw]!"

At that moment, a thick black mist suddenly rose from beneath the Shadow Mist Lady's feet, obscuring her figure. When the mist dissipated, a masked hero wearing black panther armor appeared.

【Masked Hero Dark Claw: Attack Power 2400】

Dark Claw: Although it's not written on this card, heroes don't need friends.

Jaden pointed to the warrior beside him and explained, "As long as Dark Claw is on the field, cards sent to the Graveyard by the opponent will be banished directly from the game without going to the Graveyard."

"What did you say?!" Jonouchi's pupils suddenly contracted upon hearing this.

Blackblade Dragon's counter-effect requires sending an equipment card to the graveyard to activate. However, since Dark Claw's effect cannot be sent to the graveyard, the cost cannot be paid when the effect is activated, which effectively seals Blackblade Dragon's counter-effect.

Chapter 121 Phantom Hero, Divine Phoenix Sword Saint

Once the Blackblade Dragon's effects are sealed, it becomes much easier to deal with.

Jaden then said, "Next, I activate the special effect of the Shadow Mist Lady that was sent to the Graveyard, and add a [Hero] monster from my Deck to my hand."

"I added [Phantom Hero: The Cyborg] from my deck to my hand and Normal Summoned it."

Om-! !

After a flash of white light, a warrior in dark purple armor was projected onto the field.

[Phantom Hero Android: Attack Power 1000]

He then pointed to the newly introduced hero and exclaimed, "The special effect of the android is activated: When this card is Normal or Special Summoned, send one [Hero] monster from your Deck to the Graveyard."

"I put the [Phantom Hero Increment] card from my deck into the graveyard."

After Judai put a card into the Graveyard, he continued, "Then I activate another effect of the android by banishing the Shadow Mist Lady from the Graveyard as a condition."

Once per turn, you can banish 1 HERO monster from your Graveyard to activate this effect. Add 1 Fusion monster from your Deck to your hand.

As soon as he got the Fusion card, he revealed it along with another card in his hand. "Activate the Spell Card [Fusion], fuse [Phantom HERO Poisoner] in my hand with [Phantom HERO Bionic] on the field."

[Yuki Jaden's hand cards: 5 → 4]

The figures of the warriors clad in venomous armor and the androids overlapped and were instantly swallowed by the fusion vortex, bursting forth with dazzling brilliance.

"Fusion Summon! Appear, [Phantom Hero Worshipper]!"

As the light faded, a dark hero dressed in a leather robe appeared before them, arms crossed.

[Phantom Hero Admirer: Attack Power 2800]

Seeing Jaden summon two fusion monsters in one turn, Jonouchi couldn't help but give him a thumbs up: "Wow! He summoned Elemental HERO, Masked HERO, and Phantom HERO in succession, easily mastering three types and summoning powerful monsters one after another. With this level of skill, he's more than qualified to participate in professional competitions."

At the same time, he thought to himself, 'As expected of a game...this battle is going to be very difficult!'

Jaden, of course, had no idea what the other was thinking. He pointed to the admirer beside him and said, "I'll activate this monster's special effect again."

Once per turn, you can target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls and 1 HERO monster you control other than this card; that opponent's monster's ATK and DEF are reduced by that monster's ATK until the end of this turn.

"【Masked Hero Dark Claw】 has an attack power of 2400 points, therefore 【Red-Eyes Black Blade Dragon】's attack power is reduced to 600 points."

Because of Dark Claw's effect, Blackblade Dragon cannot place Equip Cards in the Graveyard to counter the effect of Exalted One; it can only be suppressed by it.

【Red-Eyes Blackblade Dragon: Attack 3000 → 600, Defense 2400 → 0】

After completing the preparations, Jaden did not hesitate and immediately launched an offensive: "Let's fight! First, use [Masked Hero Dark Claw] to attack [Red-Eyes Black Blade Dragon]!"

Dark Claw immediately lunged forward.

Upon seeing this, Jonouchi immediately raised his finger and exclaimed excitedly, "Ooh! I'm going to open the card here, [Magic Arm Shield]!"

A trap card at their feet was then revealed.

"What......?!"

While Jaden was in a daze, a mechanical shield popped out of the card, covered the worshipper, and was quickly dragged onto the field of Jonouchi.

"The effect of the Trap Card [Magic Arm Shield] is that when there are two or more monsters on your opponent's field, and one of them attacks, you can take control of one of the other monsters during this Battle Phase and force it to battle."

"Fight back against it, worshipers!"

Upon receiving the order from the city, the worshipper, out of control, lunged at the attacking Dark Claw, smashing it to pieces with a single punch.

"Uh......"

[Yujo Jaden: LP4000→3600]

"You're really capable, Mr. Jonouchi... You managed to escape the crisis with just one card. You truly are a legendary figure."

Upon hearing this, Jonouchi smiled smugly: "Hehe~, after being a professional duelist for so many years, my skills are no joke, Judai!"

"Is that so... But I'm not one to be trifled with either, so don't underestimate me."

"Nani?!"

Jaden then took two cards from the graveyard and said, "The moment I am damaged, I activate the monster effects of 'Phantom Hero Incremental' and 'Phantom Hero Poisonous' from the graveyard. These two monsters are treated as Continuous Trap Cards and placed in my Spell & Trap Zone."

Upon seeing two monster cards revealed in his back row, Jonouchi raised an eyebrow and exclaimed in surprise, "Using monsters as Continuous Trap Cards...? That's quite a strange effect!"

"It's not over yet..."

As he spoke, Jaden pressed the button to cover the card, and the trap card beneath his feet was activated.

"Activate the Trap Card, [Illusion]!"

You can activate this effect if a face-up HERO monster you control is destroyed by battle or card effect. Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower Phantom HERO monster from your Deck. Then, you can target 1 monster your opponent controls; its original ATK and DEF are halved.

"Using the effect of this card, I Special Summon 'Phantom HERO Gravity Man' from my Deck in Attack Position."

As he slammed the card onto the duel disk, another burst of light appeared on the field, and a hero wearing bronze armor with a shield covering half his body on his left arm appeared on the field.

【Phantom Hero Gravity: Attack Power 500】

"Due to the follow-up effects of [Illusion], the attack power of [Red-Eyes Blackblade Dragon] is further reduced."

【Red-Eyes Blackblade Dragon: Attack Power 600 → 0】

"Is this the effect of not targeting anyone...?" Jonouchi clicked his tongue inwardly.

"And when Gravity Man enters the field, I can add one of the banished [Hero] monsters to my hand, and I will recall the banished Shadow Mist Lady."

[Yuki Jaden's hand cards: 4 → 5]

Then Jaden flicked his hand and shouted, "Since we are still in the battle phase, my battle continues. Gravity Man, attack Red-Eyes Black Blade Dragon!"

At his command, Gravity Man immediately rushed forward, his shield slamming into the Blackblade Dragon, which shattered into pieces before it could even scream.

[Jouchi Katsuya: LP4000→3500]

Seeing his trump card destroyed, Jonouchi hurriedly shouted, "At this moment, when [Red-Eyes Black Blade Dragon] is destroyed, Special Summon [King of the Phoenix Sword Saint Gia Freed], which was previously an Equip Card."

The card of the Divine Phoenix Sword Saint in the back row then moved forward, releasing blazing flames, and a knight wearing red and white armor and engulfed in flames instantly took shape.

[Divine Phoenix Sword Saint Kia Fried: Attack Power 3000]

Chapter 122 Foresight

The two fighters, Judai and Jonouchi, are evenly matched, and neither has gained a significant advantage so far.

Looking at the Flame Knight in front of him, Jonouchi said with a smug look on his face, "Hehe~, although I was surprised that Red-Eyes Blackblade Dragon was destroyed by your weak monster, this way I can revive my other ace through the monster's last words effect."

"So, isn't he handsome?"

Upon hearing this, Judai nodded subconsciously.

It's really cool, and the effect is quite powerful for a single card.

Fortunately, he was able to weaken it before his turn ended, so Jaden ended his battle phase first.

"After the battle phase ends, the monster you took control of returns to my field."

"Come back, worshipper!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than the admirer floated back to his field.

Then Jaden continued, "My turn isn't over yet, so I'll activate another effect of Gravity Man."

You can activate this effect by Tributing this card and targeting 2 Phantom HERO monsters in your Spell & Trap Zone. Special Summon those cards.

"Show yourselves, Incremental Men and Poisonous Men!"

Gravity Man vanished from the field in an instant, and then the two monster cards in the back row released a burst of light, instantly projecting the two heroes.

[Phantom Heroes Buff: Defense 1100]

[Phantom Hero Poisoner: Defense 700]

Jaden clenched his fist and shouted, "At this moment, the monster effect of Toxic Man activates!"

This card can only be activated if it is successfully Special Summoned from the Spell & Trap Zone. Select 1 monster on the field; its ATK is halved.

"Again...!?" Jonouchi had a bit of a toothache; why were there only these attack-reducing effects?

Upon receiving the order, the Venomous Man raised the hand cannon on his arm and sprayed a ball of venom towards the Divine Phoenix Sword Saint, instantly corroding and piercing through his armor.

[Divine Phoenix Sword Saint Kia Fried: Attack Power 3000 → 1500]

At the same time, Judai continued, "Similarly, the incremental man also needs to activate his effect at this time."

This effect can only be activated if this card is successfully Special Summoned from the Spell & Trap Zone. Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower Phantom HERO monster from your Deck.

"I Special Summon 'Phantom Hero Multiplier' from my deck in Defense Position."

A golden light flashed by, and a dark blue warrior with a pair of drill-like horns on his head appeared on the field.

[Phantom Hero Multiplier: Defense 700]

"Finally, I'll cover one more card, and then my turn will be over."

[Yuki Jaden's hand cards: 5 → 4]

Seeing that Judai had finally finished his turn, Jonouchi breathed a sigh of relief.